If I said I regret not I’d be a liar.
Oh, I regret, cher Piaf, regrette tutte
.
Assailed, the starlings of my desire
Crackle in the high-armed crown
Of my calcified brain–
.
We do not sleep
These purposed birds and I
We are vigilant throughout the night
.
Watching the doorway for an intruder
Wondering about the blood pooling
In our legs
Ashamed of the wearing down bones
Of the mouth, ridged and blackening
.
I regret all that spoiled honey I ingest
Before I think to eat
That I drag us to the stagnant water
Where herons weep forth
Their prayers for flight
.

ii
.
Spent ardor
Shouldn’t be this profane
And you love would not
Or could not break forth
With words, any music
.
And so we went off once more
In the dark, the dog and I
Where the attentive gelding stands
Scenting or kenning me
.
Yesterday
He was out in the pens
Charging the light brigade
Under the white moon
Sun-fishing for a rodeo’s big money
.
But I drove along heavy-hearted
Already, the past
Its engine booming
Coming from the creek to meet me
Like the snow-cat of Armageddon
.
Regrettes du jour, regrette tutte
I lisp and limp with them
And he, dazzling would-be stallion
Yearning cheval d’or, runs with me.